Meacham’s book is extremely
balanced in terms of the various aspects of Jefferson’s life. Though Meacham’s
central theme and contention is that Jefferson was a masterful politician and
wielder of various forms of power, this work effectively covers and connects
Jefferson’s personal, professional and philosophical life. This is a very
complete and rounded account. It more evenly covers the various facets of
Jefferson’s persona than Ellis’s work. Conversely, I found Ellis’s book to
delve deeper and to provide a more comprehensive analysis of Jefferson’s
political philosophy.

Since there are so many
interesting angles of Jefferson’s life covered in this work, I cannot
comprehensively encapsulate the material entirely in a single blog post. I will
concentrate on what Meacham intended to be the main theme, though really it is
only one of several important threads. That main theme is that Jefferson was
masterful and pragmatic when he applied power, particularly political
power.This brilliant political
style led to an incredibly transformative and successful presidency.

Jefferson’s accomplishments as
America’s third President were transformative and impressive. Just to name some
of his successes, the Louisiana Purchase, a bold move in many ways, doubled the
size of the United States and avoided conflict with France. Capital improvement
projects involving roads and waterways laid the foundation for future economic
prosperity. This President also championed individual rights and expanded
participation in government to the masses (at least for white male
masses).All of this was
accomplished despite the fact that, as I highlighted in my previous commentary,
Jefferson’s political and social philosophy often veered into the radical.

During the period of George
Washington’s administration, American politics and politicians split into two
bitterly divided factions: the Republicans (no connection with today’s modern
American Republican Party, this Republican Party eventually changed its name
and is now, centuries later, the modern American Democratic Party), led by
Jefferson, versus the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton. The Republicans
believed in a smaller, weaker, central government.They were pro-agriculture, anti-capitalism, and wanted few
checks on the will of the people. The Federalists wanted a more activist and
powerful central government, especially when it came to the economics and
finance; they were pro-capitalism, and distrusted the general population.

Jefferson, at least before he
ascended to the Presidency, expressed support of an extreme version of the
Republican viewpoint. He wanted a government with few checks and balances upon
the will of the people. He advocated for the dismantling of America’s new
finance system created by Hamilton. He also wanted America to remain primarily
an agricultural society.

Yet, Meacham points out, as soon
as he came into power he began to govern as a pragmatic centrist,

“Critics of Jefferson have
argued that his vision of an agrarian nation with a weak central government
puts him on the wrong side of history. It was Hamilton, they say, who correctly
anticipated a future that would require a system of capital and large-scale
action to create the means of national greatness. This critique of Jefferson,
while familiar, is incomplete. Jefferson sent a reassuring signal to the
manufacturing and financial interests who had learned to fear him as a champion
of the agrarian over the commercial.”

During his first term in office,
an incredible opportunity for the United States was presented when France
offered to sell the enormous Louisiana Territory to America for a ridiculously
low price. Jefferson, being a vigorous advocate of a limited government felt
that he did not have the authority to make the deal and believed that he needed
to initiate the lengthy process of amending the Constitution to acquire the
authority. When it became apparent that France would withdraw the offer as a
result of such a delay, Jefferson “put aside” his political convictions and
just went ahead with the deal. Meacham portrays this event as the ultimate
triumph of political pragmatism.

It was not solely as a realistic
moderate that drove Jefferson’s successful tenure as chief executive. Though he
wrote scathing attacks concerning his political foes, when it came to “face to
face” communication Meacham describes him as a purveyor of “soft power”.
Jefferson was a charmer and skilled in the art of persuasion. The author
details how throughout his long political career, this Founder learned and
honed the skills needed to convince rather then compel, as well as the skills
needed to make people like him. Later as President these talents came in very
handy,

“Jefferson governed
personally. He knew no other way. He had watched Peyton Randolph lead the House
of Burgesses, sometimes in meetings in Randolph’s deep-red clapboard house at
Nicholson and North England streets in Williamsburg. From his time spent in the
Confederation Congress and presiding over the Senate for four years as vice
president, Jefferson appreciated how to handle lawmakers, for he had long been
one. Even then a president’s attentions meant the world to politicians and
ordinary people alike. For all his low-key republican symbolism, Jefferson
understood that access to the president himself could make all the difference
in statecraft— hence his dinners with lawmakers and his willingness to receive
callers. The strategy worked. In the Jefferson years Republicans were heard to
acknowledge that “the President’s dinners had silenced them” at moments when
they were inclined to vote against the administration. “

Even his fervent supporters
sometimes acknowledged that as governor of Virginia during the American
Revolution, Jefferson seemed weak and indecisive at times.Meacham argues that he learned from
these early mistakes. To the surprise of many of his critics, as President, Jefferson
showed strength, even aggression, by boldly taking extra constitutional
measures when buying Louisiana from France, warring with the Barbary States,
etc.

“In the partisan wars of the
1790s, many of his foes had misinterpreted his disposition toward individual
freedom rather than toward Hamiltonian authority as dreaminess and weakness.
They would learn— quickly and unmistakably— that they were wrong. “

Jefferson was a brilliant and
important enlightenment thinker. In terms of theory on individual liberty, his
writings, including the American Declaration of Independence, draw a roadmap to
individual rights and liberty that reverberates through the present day. He
also articulated wariness over the power of government that also resounds
through history.

Yet, as Meacham’s book argues, he
was also a strong, competent and brilliant real world leader. I would contend
that Jefferson was likely the only genius to attain the office of President of
the United States. I think that such a combination of great philosophical
theory and strong and effective leadership is rare in history.

Marcus Aurelius comes to mind.
Indeed upon his retirement from the presidency Meacham writes,

“From France, the U.S. consul at
Paris sent Jefferson a book about Marcus Aurelius. “ Along with the gift was a
note comparing Jefferson to the Roman Emperor.

There is so much more to this
book. Jefferson’s personal life is covered in rich human detail. This account
includes his liaison with Maria Cosworth as well as his relationship, which may
have been coerced, with SallyHemings.
As exemplified by his relationship with Hemings, a slave that bore several of
Jefferson’s children, Meacham does not shy away from Jefferson’s flaws. His
record on slavery was poor, even by standards of the time. He initiated a horrendous
campaign of war and forced relocation upon several Native American Tribes. He
persecuted political enemies and engaged at what were at times vicious partisan
rancor.

This is a great book both for readers who know little or nothing about the man as well as
for those who are more familiar with his life story. The life, including the
contradictions, of this great thinker are well worth exploring. Meacham has
proven to be an intelligent, fair and enlightening guide.

24 comments:

Anonymous
said...

There are few presidents that intrigue me the way Jefferson does. Really after FDR, they all sort of bore me. Then again, maybe the current day presidents will be far more interesting when we have a little distance and historical perspective on them. Plus Monticello was one of the best tours I've ever taken. Great review, as usual, Brian.

Excellent review, Brian! This does sound like a well-rounded account of Thomas Jefferson's life, and it sounds quite fascinating. And isn't it interesting how the Republican Party of Jefferson's Day became the Democratic Party of today?!

that was an enlightening post as always...i have always wanted to read about for his complicated personality im not sure if i can put him dat way but somehow ur review only confirms that , he seemed like a person who could switch to extreme with ease and poise at the same...hard core beleiver and a person who could start from anywhere..Brian u have inspired me to read this though im not sure when that would be...cheers

Hi Harvee - Indeed the example of Jefferson and native American's is a good one. He actually wrote a great deal as to how he appreciated and admired their cultures yet advocated and practiced policies that were tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

This sounds very interesting. I'm always amazed that diferent biographers manage to underline other aspects. I've only ever read more than one biography of one person (Janis Joplin) and it was incredible how the diffrent biographers could show different aspects. I wasn't awar that buying Louisiana doubled the surface.

How wonderful that you decided to read another Jefferson biography, in order to get another view of him! Great idea!

Would you believe that a local bookstore had a presentation/signing of this book recently, and I couldn't go? AAARRGGGHHH!!! (As Charlie Brown used to scream...lol.) Yes, it was held on a weeknight (I have a night job, you might remember), and in addition to that, it was in their Broward County branch!! You see, I live in Dade County, here in South Florida. Broward is at least a half hour away, and besides, I wouldn't go alone at night. I would have had to convince my hubby, the non-bookworm, to go along with me...

Oh, well! C'est la vie.... I will add this book to my TBR, though!! Thanks for the post!! :)

Hey Maria - Well one reason for the two biographies of Jefferson is that the American Revolutionary era is kind of my thing. I would say about 15% of all my reading is devoted towards it. 15% adds up over a lifetime!

As I much as I would love to go to a see Meacham or a similar author talk about a book like this I would likely do the same thing if work got in the way. I work really long hours myself and it is difficult to travel to events.

No need to apologize for being late, that is one of the nice things about blogging, the posts are always here!

Well, just the same, it was a real bummer that I couldn't go to this event....not that my wallet minds! Lol. There are SO many of these events I miss because of my night job!! But I need the two jobs...

Thanks for being so gracious. Sometimes I get frazzled, because there are so many great blogs I want to comment on....but yours is ALWAYS priority!! :)